The Portland daily press., 1887-07-06
TEMPERANCE GATHERING
At Lake Anasagunticook-Sp
by Cen. Neal Dow, Hiram KnowI-
ton, Ex-Governor Perham, Gov.
Bodweli and Hon. Nelson DineIey.

| aguntlco0k, Canton, on the fourth, brought
crowd that as the speakers put it, could
only be estimated by the acre. Spillers
band, of Webb's Mills, gave fine concert
| from to 10 o'clock a. M. Hon. Geo. d.
Bisbee called the people to order, ably speak
ing of the course of Maine, always onward
and upward in every work of reform he
introduced Hon. JohnP Swasey, who de-
liyered an excellent Grafton reviewing the
history of the State, in war and in peace,
whowing the wonderful capacity Of the peo-
pie to meet every question and settle 1t upon
principles of right and justice. She leads
to-day in all moral questions.
Gen. Neal Dow followed. lie contrasted
the condition of things under the prohibi-
tory law with what existed when rum was
free. He complained that all the legislation
needed to suppress the traffic had not been
afforded, and said the temperance men know
who was to blame and would expose the
persons in the future
Hon. Hiram Knowlton was then intro
duced and spoke strongly against the license
system, claiming that it was compromising
with crime and would not lessen the evil.
Ex-Gov. Perham was the next speaker.
of this country as the most important in its
progress. One was the revolution of 1776. and
the other the overthrow of slavery. The next
event worthy to stand as the third great step
In our history is TO the emancipation of the
people from the curse of intemperance The
evils of this traffic are greater than the op-
preston of great Britain or of slavery COM
blned. A contest is coming between the
forces OF rum aud the forces of temperance
The contest may be long, but it cannot be
| doubtful DefaiiSa the fpmnaranCa ic
| just lie thought the result of temperance
efforts so far had been a grand success.
once drinking was popular and abstinence
unpopular Now all is changed. 1t is no
| longer mark of diSh0nor or cause for social
| ostracsm to be temperance man. There
| Is very little liquor used in the country towns
| OF this state, So that instead 0i the habit of
| drinking being the rule it is the exception.
| with this change has come to the people
great financial prosperity as well as moral
and intellectual progress. Let us join to-day
in ascribing honor to those who in the early
history. of the temperance cause c0nsecrated
themselves to the work which has brought
to theif children such blessed results.
Mr.. Perham presented Gov Bodwell who
was received with much enthusiasm. He
said:
Fellow Citizens,--I am gratifed to join
| with you in c0mmemorating the birth of our
national independence. 1t is certainly good
way to celebrate this day by commencing
and aiding whatever cause that tends to the
| public welfare and to the preservation of
| the valuable interests which government
was created to maintain.
The temperance reform is one of those
| living issues of the present time, which deep
| ly involve the best interests of society, of
home and the family all of which are of
fundamental Importance to the future of the
State and the nation. Temperance has gain
ed such hold in the estimation of all good
citizens that few dare to question its truth
and Importance. But as to the best means
as
unanimity. To diminish and destroy the
liquor traffic is a necessity in the opinion of
all Thoughtful and patriotic citizens.
Hence the people of Maine, after long ex-
perience, are resolved to adhere firmly to
prohibition, which, in spite of all the Obsta-
cies thrown in its way is working well. and
has already accomplished great good to the
State.
The law, as 1t now stands, may not be per-
feet, but its stringent and just provisions, ir-
cludlng the recent amendments, are better
than any other legal methods yet devised to
stamp out the liquor traffic. The cider clause
on hasty examination, may seem to some a
little severe But careful reading of these
clauses show that cider is prohibited for tip
ping purposes only. | am confident that
none Of our farmers wish TO spare cider
drunkenness, or are willing that the product
Ct the apple shall be used as cover to base
aud poisonous alcoholic preparations Fol
products are unmolested by the law.
The vigor with which the law has been en-
forced recently among us, has caused the
convicted liquor sellers to resort to the eX-
pedlent Of selling the original imported pack
ages. They have entered into kind of con-
spiraey to break down prohibition by a bold
peryersion Of a decision of the United States
Supreme Court made forty years ago. Ar
examination Of that decision plainly shows
that 1t does not touch our pr0hibitory law
1t does decide that the State shall not impose
tax on the imported liquors, in addition t.
the United States tax, but gives plain i'm
plicatlon that the State law may prohibit th'
sale OF what is des tructve of the public well
fare. Until the United States Court shall
decide against any provisions or operations
OF our pr0hbitory law, which | believe il
Will never decide, 1t will be our duty to en-
force prohibition against both domestic and
Imported liquors with vigor and impartiali'
ty. au sire the American government
the government of the people will
never discriminate In favor Of foreigi
Article. 1t Is absurd to suppose the govern
menf itself is TO be used as fortress of at
tack against the most valuable interests O.
the people themselves. If the United State
customs regulations need any amendment
, so that our State laws and regulations re
garding a criminal and destructive evil shal
| not be impeded, Congress can easily appl,
the remedy, and to take away all encourage
ment and hope from the disorderly person:
D | who are cohsplring to break your laws anC
to spread broadcast prolific source o.
crime, misery and poverty, it may be well t.
ask Congress promptly so to amend our Gus
, toms regulations that base men shall no
!, have even a shadow of excuse for their Grim
inal efforts in law-breaking. In the mean
while, and at once, let our law be faithful,
executed against all classes of alcoholic II
quors without fear or favor.
Elected by your sutfrages to the place
: now occupy, the obligations of my oath ant
good faith to you require me faithfully to en-
iorce the laws. This inien.
to do calmly, firmly and witt
! this end | invite the cooperation of my fel
low-citizens, irrespective of party. The peo
pie should aid and encourage the officers 0
) the law in the performance of their duty
zens it is very difficult for the officers of tn
law to be successful in their efforts. lie
State, county and municipal officers fear
lessly do their duty, aided by our law-loyin
) citizens, and effective work can be done il
9 stamping out q monster evil and making
| difficult for the guilty to escape. In all JUS
and practicable efforts to promote the pre-
gress Of temperance, you shall have m
earnest assistance, and hope the work 0
educating the young, in the public schools
d with vigor and fidelity. AS your official sci
S yant trust you will always know where
4 find me.
| will now give place to the speaker
whom you will be glad to hear
Hon. Nelson Dingley followed Gov. Bod
N well with most earnest appeal to the peo
= PIE 10 sustain the law from sense of mora
Z obligation 10 society. The home and til
. state depend upon the SUPPRESSION of tn
traffic in strong drink.
Hon. j. J. Perry Of Portland discussed tn
legal advantages now compared with Wha
they we're when he first commenced til
i, practice Of law. Many laughable instance
' were described, all tending TO show how tn
y people had advanced during the last fft,
years.
Spiller's full band, r. A. Bent's Quartet,
Mrs. Ada Cary Sturgs, and Miss Berth
e Webb, yiolinist, furnished the music an
/. greatly pleased the people with their choiC
a and wel-rendered selections.